Who We Are

The Heritage Council of Western Australia and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage operate together under the same legislation.

The Heritage Council is the State Government’s advisory body on heritage matters and is vested with functions and powers under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990. The Heritage Council determines the organisation’s strategy, policies and makes key decisions on places to be entered into the State Register of Heritage Places and development referrals. Read more about the Heritage Council.

The Department of the Planning, Lands and Heritage is a State Government department that supports the Heritage Council and Minister for Heritage to identify, celebrate and promote the conservation and sensitive development of cultural heritage places in WA. The Department carries out most of the Heritage Council’s day-to-day operations, projects and service delivery. Delegation of responsibilities from the Council to the Department occurs within the framework of a formal delegation policy. The Department is a result of an amalgamation between the former departments of State Heritage Office, Planning, Lands and the lands and heritage functions of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.